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Thursday, February 14, 2008

VALENTINE CONCERT AT THE LRT STATION

While New York City subways may have solo or duet classical and jazz artists performing live music to soothe high-strung commuters for some loose change, Metro Manila, on the other hand, offers an entire chorale along with an art exhibit for free, though during this month of February only -- Arts Festival Month.

Continuing with its Pasakalye theme -- presenting free exhibits and performances in public places -- the NCCA (National Commission on Culture and the Arts) in collaboration with the University of the East College of Fine Arts dazzled the LRT commuters at Doroteo Jose Station with a fine art exhibit and an enchanting musical performance by the Ramon Magsaysay Chorale. All these on a lovely Valentine's Day afternoon.

This was the NCCA's fourth Fiesta sa LRT at MRT presentation. The next one will be on February 20 at the LRT2 Recto Station. The award-winning UE Chorale will perform, while UE College of Fine Arts will once again present the art exhibit. The performance will begin at 4:00 pm.

14 Comments:

Eric, that is really nice to see talented people to show their exibits and perform their talent for free for the public.What a better place than the LRT stations since those are crowded places and nice for their talents to be appreciated. I know how Filipinos react to these kinds of performances. Marami pa rin sa atin ang (timid) o parang nahihiya na tangkilikin ang sariling atin.I was in Mega-Mall in 2001, there was a singing group performing and people are just not into it. Ni wala man lang pumapalakpak bagkos nahihiyawan ng mga bastos na salita na parang mas may nalalaman o mas magaling sila. Kudos to those people into performing ARTS. (Sikat pa ba yung USTe Choral group?) ~ may niligawan kasi ako nuon na miembro, actually, crush lang kasi parang kanta ang istorya namin --"Malayo ang tingin, kahit na akoy' singkit" --- hahaha! Masyadong maganda kasi...

The audience were generous with their applause, Reyd. The Ramon Magsaysay Chorale, though comprised of only high schoolers, are indeed a bunch of talented young people. Except for those in apparent hurried schedule, a good amount of LRT commuters did stick around to appreciate the performance.

I think nasapawan na ng UE chorale ang UST choir because I haven't heard anything about the latter. UE chorale has recently won the Asian competition, and their repertoire is quite impressive.

This was indeed an astonishing and exhilirating experience for many Manileños, Aura. Imagine getting off the train and right there to greet you is an entire chorale performing a wonderful song ... hehehe.

Nice to know that the choral groups and art students have organized shows in the LRT!

Your hope that "art in public places" would manifest everywhere is worth thinking about. Although as per my experience it needs a lot of logistics. Here, where i live, there is a handful of us private artists (most of them foreigners---great craftspeople making their private paradises)! One I know is A Dutchman who had shared with me about artists' collectives in Netherland. Usually, he says, the artists start with say a small shop and when it becomes bigger and sought after, then the "sigurista" businessmen buy the once idealistic and self-less enterprise...making it well---business! Nevertheless, artists once they are organized in their own way, will crop up with another collective store in another place. And so the cycle goes. But then maybe, we can have one "art place" here in this art-forsaken province where I live! Thanks!

That was indeed a very good idea, to have a chorale perform in a very public and high human traffic area. It gave the choir a very wide exposure. We need more of those.

Btw, I owe you information about the old San Jacinto Panciteria in Binondo. I spoke to my father and unfortunately, he said that the place closed several years ago. It used to be on T. Pinpin street. Sorry about that Eric. The San Jacinto Restaurant on E. Rodriguez in Libis is but a franchise.

There is a vibrant art scene in Manila, Mimi, and I think it's the NCCA's intention to promote art appreciation amongst the local folks. I also heard that besides the government, the corporate community is quiate active is supporting various art-related programs.

They should hold these free public performances at least once a month throughout the year :)

Life in Manila as observed by a former New Yorker who with a laptop and camera has reinvented himself as a storyteller. Winner of the PHILIPPINE BLOG AWARDS: Best Photo Blog in 2007 and three Best Single Post awards in 2008.